How to Choose the Best Bedside Cot uk
Both the NHS and the Lullaby Trust have issued official safe sleeping guidelines which suggest that infants sleep in their own Moses basket or cot. A bedside crib is a space-saving and practical option for parents who share a room.
Mumsnetters adore the co-sleeper because it's spacious, with plenty of room for baby's to grow and wiggle. It's also bigger than the Moses Basket. It's also easy to put together and comes with a bag for carrying.
What is a bedside cot?
A bedside cot (also called a side sleeper, bassinet or co-sleeper) is a safe way for your newborn to sleep near you during their first few months. These cribs fix to your bed and allow you to raise your baby towards you at night for feeding or comforting without the danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is a result of traditional bed-sharing. They're also a great choice for breastfeeding mothers or mothers recovering from a Caesarean section.
They're usually a little smaller than a regular cot, but offer plenty of space for your baby to rest. You can choose between a variety of styles and features depending on your preferences. Many bedside cribs come with an adjustable or drop-down side to make it easier to reach the baby during the night to feed them. They are also available in different heights, based on your bed size.
Some cribs for bedside use an riser that permits you to add a slight slope to the sleep space which can aid in reflux and a zip-off side for easy cleaning. Other cribs have manual rocking functions which can be a soothing distraction for your baby. You'll need a mattress that is air-conditioned to match your crib. It must be at least 30cm in depth to allow your baby plenty of headroom.
You can be sure that your baby will be safe and secure in a cot that is positioned at the bedside. With the likes of Kate Hudson, Serena Williams and Gigi Hadid all fans of the SNOO bedside crib, it's definitely worth considering this stylish alternative to a moses basket.
Safety
The Lullaby Trust, in conjunction with the NHS has issued official guidelines for safe sleeping which recommend that babies sleep in the same bedroom as their parents for the first six months. However they should not be sleeping in your bed. This is to decrease the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome. A bedside crib is a fantastic option that allows your child to comfortably be near enough for you to feed them at night and help them return to sleep without having to leave your bed. It's also great if you have limited mobility following an operation or recovering from C-section.
Our top pick for a bedside cot, the Silver Cross Slumber Carbon 3-in-1 bedside crib for travel is compact and folds flat in seconds to fit into a travel bag so it's perfect for holidays and nights away from home. It's among the lightest bedside cots and has an extremely comfortable mattress with mesh air-flow panels and an incline setting, plus it won Gold in the 2021 Mother&Baby awards for the Best Crib, Cot, or Moses Basket.
Chicco Next2me Magic is another great bedside crib option. It was awarded Bronze at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards. It comes with a built-in changing mat and storage solution, is lightweight at 10kg, and has an adjustable side that slides down to make it easy to access.
Style
For many mothers, particularly those who are recovering from C-sections, a bedside crib can be a blessing in disguise. You can easily reach your baby without getting out of your bed. This allows you to soothe and feed your infant during the night. The close proximity to your baby can also increase the production of milk for mothers who breastfeed.
In addition to being extremely useful, bassinets can look pretty elegant which is the reason they're so sought-after. Some are more spacious than Moses Baskets, and some have extra features such as a gentle reflux upward slope. cheap bedside cot designed to sit next to your bed and can be moved around the house as baby grows. Some are portable so they're ideal for parents who travel.
It is important to choose a bedside cot with drop-sides that are easy to use. These let you lower your infant into the bassinet without lifting them into your arms, which is difficult for mothers who have limited mobility. Chicco Next2Me Magic is one such model that has been praised and shortlisted by Mumsnetters in the category of the best Cot or Crib, or Moses Basket for our 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
Some models also have a translucent side, allowing you to be able to always view your baby. This is especially useful during bleary-eyed 3am feeds, when a quick glance can make all the difference. As was noted by Emily our MFM home test participant, the Sleepiest BassiNest is a great option. It is simple to lower.
Budget
If you're still not ready to move to a larger cot the bedside crib could be an ideal solution. The bassinet-style crib is attached to the bed's side so you can easily reach your baby's feedings at night and soothe them without disturbing your own sleep. It's also a great choice for those with limited movement after a C-section and is a favorite choice with celeb mums including Stacey Solomon and Binky Felstead.
Our Parents Testers loved the new version of the well-loved Chicco crib, which won 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the Best Cot or Crib. It's large and breathable, and comes with six different height settings for babies who are growing. There is also a gentle reflux setting. You can also use it as a travel cot. Additionally, it comes with an excellent storage bag.
A bedside cot can be a little difficult to move around the home However, our Parents Testers found the Shnuggle Air on the side of the crib easy to move around. It's one of the lighter options that can be packed into its own travel bag.
The SnuzPod is another highly rated bedside cot that's easy to put together and fold away, with plenty of features to ensure the best night's rest. It has a lift-off bassinet that fits more beds than any other cot and its breathable fabric helps your baby maintain their temperature. It also has a gentle rocking feature and an incline setting for reflux, and is light enough to use as a travel cot if you're on the move. It's a bit more expensive than other bedside cots however our Parent Testers believe it's worth the extra cost.